Leif’s Gift

Gr 2-4–Leif, a young city boy, loves houseplants. He fills his room, located above his family’s café, with a lush jungle of hoyas, ivies, spider plants, and palms. His mom and dad have a laissez-faire attitude, letting the greenery take over until Leif, who has black straight hair and light skin, finds he can no longer locate his belongings—or even his pet turtle—in the crowded, verdant space. Leif’s solution is to trim his plants, but rather than discarding the cuttings, he gives them away, populating his neighborhood with the homegrown flora. This sweet story, Wang’s debut, of an only child’s unusual hobby explores what happens when a passion grows out of control and models a positive way to share that passion with the world. The text is smartly placed within the illustrations’ negative space, allowing the vibrant artwork to shine. The illustrations, rendered in more shades of green than one could imagine, are exceptional. The people possess great personality, but the plants are the stars, with each unique leaf shape and stem structure lovingly rendered. The artwork has a keen attention to detail, allowing astute readers to spot Leif’s camouflaged turtle and other hidden elements throughout the spreads. Back matter includes information on how to propagate plants and a list of pet-safe plants for young green thumbs.